Ellen Mcilwaine was already well known on the blues scene when I was starting out. She was legendary for having played with Hendrix in the ’60s, as well as forging her career at the cusp of
Ellen Mcilwaine was already well known on the blues scene when I was starting out. She was legendary for having played with Hendrix in the ’60s, as well as forging her career at the cusp of the women’s movement. Ellen was one of the first females to play a really strident, aggressive style of slide, with no-holds barred and totally in your face. Even though she was categorized as a blues artist, Ellen shifted her style over the years, incorporating world music to create something completely of her own. She remains one of the world’s greatest and most unique slide guitarists.
Do you realize how much of an influence you’ve had? I see you in the same light as Memphis Minnie—a real trailblazer.
I didn’t learn the way someone else does, so I didn’t fit into a box. I was playing an acoustic guitar through an amp with a wah pedal, breaking all the rules, and not paying attention to “this is how you do it.” My slide playing is not typical, but slide is a really individual thing. If you listen to every slide player, you’ll see that we’re all different.
What do you feel is most unique about your style?
I learned from a flamenco player—that’s why I use finger picks and fling my whole right hand at the guitar.
One of the things I found interesting seeing you live was hearing your Middle Eastern influences.
I’ve always been fascinated by minor keys, and those strange Middle Eastern scales. Because I grew up in Japan, I was exposed to all different cultures. We had 200 students in our school, and 28 nationalities. When I first came to the States, people would say, “What is that? That’s really weird.” But it’s part of the whole thing called world music.